Patricia: ''I was attacked with a chemical containing acid, 15 years ago by two strangers on the streets of Bogota. For no reason ! I have had over 48 reconstructive surgeries and over 190 surgical procedures.'' Patricia has become a leading activist for women’s rights in her country.

Patricia: ''On my face lie the actions of a tissue of scars, of torn skin. And the marks on my body have taken over my mind, making me feel fear and frustration. I have remained the same, but in a different body. I am brave, rebellious and combative. Today, I am more beautiful, more sensual and sexier, but above all, I am a woman.’’

MARTHA: Martha is a 123 (911) dispatcher in the Colombian's capital. Her attack happened accidentaly while her parents were handling a bottled of acid and an agument broke up between the 2 of them. The bottle felt on her when she was 2 years old, causing severe burns all over her body. She spent several years of her chilhood in a hospital. She got married very young and her husband died not long after, leaving her alone with the children. It was with a fighting spirit that Martha held several jobs to provide for the well-being of her children and their education.

Viviana: ''When I was 12 years old, we lived in a house with several other families. One day I was in the kitchen doing the dishes, a fire broke out. It was arson, the attackers thought I was someone else, a member of an other familly that they wanted to get ride of. Members of the community called the police and the firefighter and they never showed up. A man jumped into the fire and saved my life. The agressive family ran away into the night. I was transfer to Houston, USA for my treatments and I took the opportunity to study and get my degree in graphis design.'' After a major infection Viviana lost her fingers and later her hands.

Viviana: ''I Learned to value myself and to love myself. I met Jorge who is currently my husband, we've been together for 15 years, He is a very kind person. He takes great care of me, we have a stationery in graphic design. We work 24/24, 7/7 we do everything ourself.'' '' I have no anger, I'am focus on myself, I do not approach anything with negative feeling. I believe in god and do not think I have to act against anyone because I do not remember who they were.''

Fondation Sergio et Alexandra Rada Beauty comes from the heart The Foundation offers aesthetic medical treatments to improve the appearance of scars affected by chemical burns that have left traces due to violence. The foundation also provides support for the hospitalization of women due to aggression problems and accompanies them throughout the subsequent process with workshops, conferences, activities that allow them to resume their lives and become the active and productive women they were before the aggression. They also train them in different arts, jewelry, beauty, eyelash enhancement, so that they can generate income.

Angie: ''The place I was going was 2 blocks away from my home. I had already been followed by a man with long hair. I saw him following me, I started walking quickly and when I passed under a street light I recognized him and He was carrying a pot in his hands. I started running and he caught up with me than he trew the content of the pot on me. The acid pierced my clothes and burned my arms, neck, face, back and also my buttocks.'' Angie had to undergo several operations and has suffered from delusions and persecution since then. To this day, She has no idea who could have done this to her. '' There are 2 Angies, the one before the attack and the one after. I'am a new person but it is very difficult.''

I'AM THE REFLECTION OF THE ANGER OF LIVING !

Ludy: She doesn’t really like to talk about what happened to her. However, she had to spend 2 years in a hospital where she was burned on a good part of her body. “It was very hard when I went to school, the cruelty of other children and their comments hurt me a lot, but I was able to overcome this situation over the years and now I am able to live with my scars.” “Today, thanks to the Sergio and Alexandra Rada Foundation, I receive treatments for my skin and the repair of my scars.”

Ludy : ''The limitations in life can be physical but also mental, despite everything I try to leave a normal life. I am professional and I work. For a person who see me it is strange but for me it is normal and I am now used to the way others look at me.’’

Alejandra : ''I'am an accountant and my attack happened a month after I was born. A friend of my mother was carrying me in her arms while walking with her and a person who wanted to attack my mother’s friend threw a chemical agent at her. I received most of the chemical agent. They were very afraid that I will lose my sight because my face was burned a lot and I was a baby. But they saved me. Since 2019 I have been undergoing laser treatments on the skin of my face and neck. For what I know is that the attacker received 1 year in prison and is now deceased. Justice was not the same at that time.’’

Yaneth : ''On April 12th, 2012, almost 11 years ago, I was the victim of an attack with chemical agent. I was working at a money change where an individual wanted to commit a robbery. I refused to give the money and he sprayed me with a syringe of a chemical agent. I was burned on the face and I suffered burns on almost 80% of my chest, on one leg, hands and also on part of my face.’’ I asked her : ''And what about the justice then ?’’ : ''They classified the case as a work accident…!!!’’

Laura : ''It was a very nice relationship until the 10th month, then he became rude and we argued a lot. And on October 9, 2021, he attacked me with solvent and set me on fire. Two of his friends had stayed over, but, despite all the screaming, none of them helped me. When I was on fire as well as my dog, he tried to put out the fire on the dog and he pushed me into the shower. The police did not put him in jail, because justice does nothing to speed up the process because, supposedly, he saved my life…'' (update 2024: The Bogota police finally arrested him, and justice continues its course)

Kintsugi : (Many victim wear this tattoo.) Japanese method of repairing broken porcelain or ceramics using lacquer sprinkled with gold powder. The Art of Resilience.

Rosaida : Mother of 3 children and a tireless worker, Rosaida was attacked in 2021 in Bogota by her ex-partner who threw chimical agent on her and set her on fire. Burning her face, neck, arms and back. With the help of the Sergio and Alexandra Rada Foundation she was able to get treatment at the Simon Bolivar Hospital in Bogota in the major burns unit. Her attacker fled to his home country, Venezuela, so justice was never served.

Rosaida : After her attack Rosaida decided in 2023 to return to her hometown to rebuild her life with her 2 children and her mother. And at the same time to find her circle of friends. She studied and now works in a luxury hotel in northern Colombia. "I am proud of what I have accomplished by returning to school and thus being able to provide for my family."

Maribel : A very strong and kind woman, her attack happened 25 years ago (1998). It was her husband who attacked her with a chemical agent. She wanted to end their relationship because there was too much arguing and fight and he was becoming mean. He refused and committed this heinous act. After more than 17 surgeries and countless cosmetic procedures Maribel stood up and became an industrial engineer in 2020. She now lives in northern Colombia with her family and her new love who respects and values her. The aggressor was never punished or deprived of liberty for this attack.

Love : With the precious help of the Sergio y Alexandra Rada Foundation (reconstructive surgery and surgical follow-up), the Courageous meet in groups here and there to do activities such as: makeup classes, painting workshops, drawing, fashion shows as well as participating in demonstrations with other feminist groups in the city of Bogotá to promote respect for women's rights.

Yuli : Mother of 2 children Yuli lives in the northeast of Colombia. While she was going to work in 2018, a man dressed in black on a big engine motorcycle was waiting for her a few meters from her home. He blocked her path with his vehicle and then threw a chemical agent in her face affecting the left side of her face and chest. Yuli had to go through more than 20 surgeries, both surgical and ophthalmological, specialists believe that she will never see from her’s affected eye again. Her attacker was her ex-partner who constantly threatened her. He never received any sentence from the courts even though she reported him.

Andrea : In the absence of her parents, her aunt who was babysitting her took advantage of the situation to throw solvent on her and set her on fire. ''I was burned on 70% of my body. I was burned on my legs, my stomach, my arm... my left arm but not on my face. It was difficult because... imagine a little girl who has to face such a situation, especially when she becomes a teenager. I had to endure bullying from my teachers, my classmates and... The children were cruel as well. '' Andrea didn't know what to do in front of the camera. I asked her to do whatever she wanted. She started dancing and humming and smiling just like a model would. ''I'm a survivor now, a winner !''